Making Time for Things That Matter

I think part of embracing a simple lifestyle is making room in your life for things that matter most. This “matter most” obviously has a different definition for each individual.

Personally, I’m still trying to define this for myself. I know I love reading and writing. But I also love making music. However, it’s been weeks since I sat down at the piano to play and I think I’ve strummed the guitar once this year.

Recently, I’ve also had a strong urge to join the choir at our church. I keep thinking: “Is this really going to simplify my life?” Well, not in the sense that I now have made a commitment to be somewhere one evening a week. However, I know it will be a time of rejuvenation and enjoyment. In addition, I’d like to think that I’m offering my voice as a service to the church.

I also want to make time to give back to the community. This would most likely have to happen on the weekend. Can I really add more activities to the weekend and not burn out? Perhaps once a month, to start with.

It’s an interesting balancing act, this making time for things that matter. It’s important to take a look at where you spend your time. Maybe if I spent less time on social media I would have time to volunteer somewhere? Or is there a way I can become more efficient at work? For example, processing email in batch is a huge time-saver. Avoiding unnecessary meetings is another good productivity trick.

The bottom line is that we only have one life and we need to make the most of it. In this over-programmed world, it is important to reevaluate our activities on a regular basis and free ourselves of those things that keep us from the things that matter. Just say, “Enough already!” and get that guitar off its stand.